‘Nick’s Run to Heal’ fights against childhood cancer

CLIFTON PARK, N.Y. (NEWS10) — Now in its seventh year, Nick’s Run to Heal 5K is an event that’s taking a swing at ending childhood cancer.

It’s something that touches all of us. Maybe you know a friend, or a family member that is battling cancer right now.

A few years ago, Janine Cammarata lost her son, Nick to the disease.

“It was a big shock for us,” Cammarata said, who’s also president of the event. “Getting the diagnosis and him dying so quickly. So we wanted to do something in his name. He would be the first person out here doing something for others.”

Flash forward to today, and this 5K event is in it’s seventh year.

“It’s like a carnival, it’s a big event and when you get that many people together, you get that positive energy. It can’t help but make people feel better and bring about healing.” Cammarata said.

All of the proceeds go directly to the Melodies Center at Albany Medical Center, helping raise awareness for the battle against childhood cancer.

Volunteer Brittney Decker has seen the good it can do, first hand.

“I have a blood disease and I’m a patient at the Melody Center and I witness kids battling cancer when I go there and they inspire me so much,” Decker said.

“I love to see how the kids have a smile when they come here and they have positive things in there life,” She added.

Kids like Isabella Caruso.

“We found out that she was diagnosed with cancer a week before her 4th birthday,” Her father, Nick Caruso, said.

“It’s pretty crushing, it’s hard to deal with,” He says.

Her parents, Nick and Nicole, say events like this can go a long way.

“It’s nice to see people coming together, even if they lost somebody or even if they don’t have somebody that’s fighting cancer,” Isabella’s mother, Nicole Caruso, said. “It’s just nice that so many families come together to support families in need.”

On Saturday, hundreds gathered in Clifton Commons, united in their fight against cancer.

“The message is that, the smallest thing you do makes a big difference, whether it’s sending a card to someone who has cancer or making a small donation. Sometimes people say I can’t give that much, ten dollars makes a difference,” Cammarata said.